Manufacture of metal wheels



.f LOFLAND MANUFACTURE oF METAL WHEELS June 24 1924.

1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 led Jan. 20,

314 @Moz .Fume 24 1924.

A. M. LOFLAND MANUFACTURE `OF METAL WHEELS Filed Jan. 20

i921 2 shears-sheer 2 Patented ,lune 24, 1924,

.ALFRED lVI. LOFLAND, OF LEBANON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF QNEHALF T0 LEWIS C. i

Y if' enfasis rarer euries,

WILLIS, OF INDIANAPOLES, INDIANA;

MANUFACTURE GF METAL NI-IEELS.

' Application filed. January 20, 1921.. Serial No, 433,691.

T0 all whom t may conce 1a;

Be it known that 1, aan lll, LOFLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Boone and State of Indiana, have invented certain neu' and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of Met-al Wheels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

In the manufacture of disk steel Wheels it is important that the holes in the felloe band and felloe be properly drilled, not only to enable the Wheel to run true with the axis of the hub, but also to enable the felloe to be secured in the proper plane with respect to the wheel axle. The methods of doing this heretofore in vogue vhave been most un satisfactory and very unreliable requiring, as they do, a needless amount of time, trouble and expense in aligning the felice laterally and circumferentially on the Wheel center to which it is to be secured.

The invention therefore, which constitutes the subject matter of this application`r relates to a machine employed primarilyY in the manufacture of disk Wheels, the chief object of Which is to eliminate several operations heretofore in vogue in lining up and drilling corresponding holes in the felloe band of the Wheel center and felloe to enable the latter to be properly secured in the former so that the periphery of the Wheel in actual use will run true. I accomplish thisby novel mechanism for securing and maintaining the felloe and Wheel center in such respective positions, during the drilling of the pivot holes in said felloe and the felloe band of the Wheel center, that all portions of the felloe during the drilling ope-ration ivill be located in a proper plane at right angles to the axis of the hub. A further feature of my invention consists in provisions for drilling corresponding holes in the felloe and felloe band at uniformly spaced points.

Other objects, advantages and features of my invention Will more clearly appear from the detailed description belou7 taken in. connection With the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section ofthe preferred form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan, as viewed from the line 2-2 of Figure 1, of one of the clamping means employed in securing and inaintaii'iing the felloe in alignment on the Wheel center;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 of the indexing mechanism; o Y

Figure l is a front view of the machine, parts being broken away to shouv its interior construction, and

Figure 5 is a side viev/v of the entire machine.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral 10 designates a conventional form' of drilling machine which is provided with a fixture 11 described in detail below. Suitably mounted upon the column or upon any other means in lixed relation to the drilling machine is a support 12 provided With a laterally project-ing stub shaft 13 secured thereto. Surrounding the shaft 13 is an axle sleeve 14 mounted to rotate With the bell casting 15, the latter having a flare 1G terminating in a vertical plane, To the flare 16 of the bell casting a clamping and indexing ring 17 is secured by screws 13 passing through an interior flange 19 'thererv on.

The lixture 11 is provided with a spring pressed locking member 2O Which-engages With index slots or grooves 21 in the ring'17. l/Vhen the member 2O engages with one of the slots 21, the ring 17 is not only properly positioned for drilling, but is also locked against rotation. rPhe member 2O may be Withdrawn from an;v groove 21 by turning the knurled handle 22 against the tension of the spring 23 and for this purposethere is provided a cam member 21- on the fixture 11, coacting With the cam member-25 on the knurled handle 22, so that when said handle is rotated through an angle, of say 90". the

locking member 2O Will be Withdrawn from the groove 21, as will be understood.

' Removablyp fitted to and slidable on the axle sleeve 14 is a bearing sleeve 26, the external diameter of which is slightly less than the internal diameter of the inner end of thefhub 27 of the Wheel center, the term Wheel center Wherever used herein comprising the hub 27, disks 28 and 29 and flanges 30. 1f the Wheel centerris for the rear axle it vWill also include the brake band 31. The felloe is illustrated at 32 in 1, in proper alignment With the hub 2 One end of this sleeve 26 is normally pressed against the shoulder 33 on the bell casting by means of pressure exerted through the flange 34 on the` interior of the hub. To the outer end of the axle sleeve 14 is screwthreadd a "second bearing sleeve The inner end of this sleeve is adapted to bear against an annularI flange 36 on the interior of the hub 27 so that when the sleeve is screwedhome by means of the operating wheel 37, the wheel center is clamped rigidly to the bell casting so as to rotate as a unit therewith. When in assembled position, as indicated in Figure 1, the disk flange 30 of the wheel center fits snugly around the perforated flange 38 on the ring member 17 The felloe 32 in turn is fitted over the flanges 30 so as to enable the rivet holes on said flanges and felloe to be drilled. To enable the felloe to be properly aligned with the flanges before the rivet holes are drilled, a plurality of clamping means are employed to draw all portions of the felloe tightly against the shoulder 39, said shoulder being located in a plane at right angles tothe axes of the hub 27. Each of these clamping means, which is mounted upon the ring member 17, comprises hook members 4() adapted to engage with the felloe and is pivoted at 41 to a member 42 slidable in the ring member 17 Screw-threaded to the member 42 is a member 43, the outer end of which is provided with an operating handle 44 eccentrically pivoted thereto which serves not only to rotate said member 43, but is adapted to impart a longitudinal movement thereto. 'The handle 44 is pivoted at 45 to the member 43 and has thereon the eccentric member 46 normally in engagement with the perforated bearing plate 47. rlfhe member 42 is llocated in a cut-out cavity 48 in the side walls of which are two grooves 49 to receive the ends of the pivot pin 41, which pin and grooves, in conjunction with the perforated plate 47, serve to maintain the clamping means in operative position on the ring'17. The plate 47 may be secured to the ring 17 in any well known way.

ln the fixture 11 is slidably mounted a drilling tool guide 50, the same being held in its extreme upward and downward limits by means of the spring pressed locking mechanism 51 cooperating with depressions 52 in the guide. The object of this slidable arrangement is for the purpose not only of enabling the assembly of the channeled felloe, but to bring the end of said guide in close proximity to the point where the hole is to bey drilled in the felloe.Vv Obviously where a yflat member is to be riveted to the felloe band, or other member in lieu of the channeledfelloe, thenthe slidable arrange# ment of the ydrilling tool guide is unnecessary.

The reference numerals 53 and 34 illustrate diagrammatically the drilling tool and its attachment, but as this may take any form and is substantially a part of the prior art, I make no claim thereto per se.

The method of assembling the wheel eenter andA felloe in operative relation to each other and the operation of the device in drilling the holes in the flanges and felloe are as follows: The sleeve 26 is first inserted into the inner end of the hub until it abuts against the flange 34. The whole is then slid over the axle sleeve 14 until the sleeve QG abuts against the shoulder on the bell casting7 and in doing this the flanges 30 of the disls telescope over the annular flange 38 on the ring member 17. The bearing sleeve is now mounted upon the axle sleeve 14 and by virtue of the screw-threaded arrangement between said sleeves and the engagement of sleeve 35 with the interior hub flange 3G the wheel center is not only forced home by the operation of the handle 37, bui is clamped rigidly to rotate in unison with the bell casting. The felloe is now assembled by slipping the same over the flanges 3() to the point where its inner side abuts against the shoulder 39 on the ring member 17. Before the drilling operation takes place the felloe should be properly aligned with respecty to the hub so that the periphery of the wheel when completed will run true. To accomplish this the shoulder 39 is so constructed and arranged as to deline a plane at right angles to the axis of the hub of the center so that when the inner side of the felloe is litted snugly against the shoulder said felloe is in proper alignment, but

l find that these felloes are not accurately manufactured, that is, they are neither eX- actly uniform in diameter nor properly trued up. Therefore some mechanical means must be employed to draw the side of the felloe against said shoulder and to accomplish this l employ the clamping and sc curingmemberspreviously described. l find, howeveigthat frequently it is impossible for the operator to slide the felloe over the flange, due to the irregularities in either or both of them. Therefore the clamping means are employed to draw the felloe home well as hold the same in fixed relation to the flanges 30. In consequence it is necessary that the hoolr member 40 in assembling the felloe should have a substantial longitudinal movement, hence the screw-threaded arrangement between the members 42 and 43, the handle 44 being effective 'to move the latter when said handle is in the position indicated in Figure 1, On the other hand, only slight outward movement of the hook member 40 is necessary to release the felloe rim and this may be accomplished by moving the handle 44 about it-s pivot 45, thus enabling the high point of the eccentric 46 to move away from its bearing member 47, thereby permitting the member 40 to move outwardly and release the hook.

After assembling the wheel center in the manner just described, the bell casting is moved in one direction 'or'the other yuntil the locking member 2Q engages with one of the index grooves 2l; The drilling tool is nov: brought into operation and a hole is drilled through the felloe and flanges after which the bell-casting is rotated upon the xed shaft 13 as an axis until the next succeeding index groove ill is engaged by the locking member 2O for effecting the second drilling operation. and so on. lt will of course be understood that perforations or mutilated portions are provided in the flangeffl of the ring member corresponding to the index `efroove 2f) to enable clearance for the drilling tool, as will be understood,

lt is to be understood that Wherever the term drilling machine is used hereiin either in the rliescripti on or claims, it is employed generically to include any milling or other machine for forming holes.

From the foregoing it will' be seen that the device enables the required number of rivet holes to be placed at the proper points evenly or`uniformly spaced around the circumference of the felloe band and disk flanges 30, and eliminates several operations required in devices heretofore in vogue. It will also be seen that the machine is simple in construction and operation. comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to operate.

In the drawings l have illustrated not only what I regard as the preferred form of my invention, but the specific form of machine Which has been thoroughly demonstrated to be a practical device. It is to be understood, however, that I do not limit myself to the exact construction illustrated and described as many changes may be made in points of detail and other embodiments resorted to in the manufacture of various sorts of wheels and other devices Without departing from the true spirit and scope of my invention as described herein and as defined by the annexed claims.

That I claim is:

l. A` drill jig to enable holes to be drilled through the felloes and the peripheral flanges of disk Wheels comprising a bellshaped casting or holder, a fixed shaft upon which said holder is adapted to rotate. means on said shaft for properly aligning the hub of a Wheel center on said shaft and rigidly securing the same to rotate with said holder. a ring member secured to said casting and provided With an annular flange over Whi ch the disk flanges telescope when the Wheel center is fixed in position and also provided with a shoulder square With the said fixed shaft and against which the felloe is adapted to be positioned. and means for clamping the felloe against said shoulder.

2. A drilling machine to enable holes to be drilled through the felloes and the felloe flanges of disk Wheels comprising a rotatable holder for the Work, a shaft upon which said holder rotates., means for mounting the huh of the Wheel center upon and ai; "il alignment with said shaft and for rigidly securing said center to said holderq in combination with means for truing up the felloe 'with the hub of the centen and means for drilling holes through said felloe after it is trued up.

A drill jig to enable holes to be drilled through the felloes andfelloe bands of disk Wheels? comprising a holder, a shaft upon which said holder is rotatably mounted means for securing a wheel center to said holder in axial alignment With said 'shaft7 in combination 1with means on said holder for always maintaining the felloe in a plane at right angles to the axis of toe hub of the Wheel center. and a guide for a drilling means located normally in a `fixed position with respect to said holder.

t. A drilling Lmachine comprising means for rotatably supporting a Wheel center having an annular peripheral flange thereon and for supporting` a felloe on said flange.y in combination with means on said supporting means for aligning the felloe to run true With the hub of said center, and guiding means for a drilling tool normally located in a fixed position relative to said supporting means to enable holes to be drilled through said felloe and flange.

A` machine for drilling holes through the felloe and flange of disk Wheels comprising mechanism for supporting a Wheel center and a felloe in operative relation to each other, means for securing said Wheel center to said supporting member, means on said support for aligning the felloe to run true with said hub, and mechanism for drilling holes through said felloe and flange, said mechanism for drilling and said supporting mechanism being movable relative to each other to different operative positions.

6. A. machine for drilling holes through the felloe and flange of disk Wheels comprising means for supporting a Wheel center and felloe in operative relation to eachother. and means for drilling holes through said felloe and flange, including a guide for a drilling tool located normally in fixed relation to said supporting means said supporting and guiding means being movable relative to each other to'different operative positions.

".7, A machine for drilling holes through the felloe and flange of disk wheels comprising means for support-ing a Wheel center and felloe in operative relation to each other.y said supporting means including means for positioning the felloe on said flange in a plane at right angles to the axis of the hub of said center. and means for drilling holes through said felloe and flange. said supporting and drilling means being movable relatire to each other to dierent operative positions.

8. A machine for drilling holes through the felloe and flange ol disk wheels comY prising means for supporting a wheel center and elloe in operative relation to each other including means v.Por securing the 'fell oe and the hub or said center in alignment with each other, and a guiding means tor a drill ing` tool the axis of which is normallj,7 parallel to and within the pla-ne oie the Vfelloe, one of Asaid means being movable in said plane relatively to the other to enable holes to be c rilled at Various points in said flange and ielloe.

9. A machine for drilling holes through the felloe and flangev of disk wheels comprising` means For supporting a wheel center and felloe in operative relation to each other including means for securing the elloe and hub of the wheel centerY in alignment with each other, and a guiding means 'for a drilling tool the aXis of which is normall7 parallel to and within the plane of the felloe, one of said means being movable in said plane relativelT to the other to enable holes te be drilled at various points in said flange and tellen, in combination with indexing means to determine the distances between the euceessire holes.

lO. machine Ylor drillingr holes through the Yfelloe and lange of disk wheels Comprising means for supporting a wheel center and 'felloe in operative relation to each other, and a guiding means for a drilling tool the axis of which is normall7 parallel to and within the plane of the felloe, one ot said means being movable in said plane rela-tivelyv to the other to enable holes to be drilled. at various points in said flange and felloe in combination with indexing means to determine the distanf'es between successive holes.

In testimony whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 15 day of January 19:21..

ALFRED M. LOFLAND. 

